The Lavender Farm
I finished teaching earlier than expected yesterday so I called into Somerset Lavender for lunch. And to take some photos, of course!
It's on my 101 in 1001 list and I've been planning to visit it for the past couple of years - I drive past the road leading to the farm every week on my way to my Wednesday school - but never actually got round to visiting the farm until yesterday. It was the best thing I did all day yesterday and just the perfect way of relaxing after a tough teaching session.
They do a good selection of light lunches and I think it's earned a place on 'my favourite places to eat' list. I had their cheese scone platter and a big mug of hot chocolate - it was windy and just starting to rain so I was in need of something warming! This was the flower arrangement on the table ...
They do a good selection of light lunches and I think it's earned a place on 'my favourite places to eat' list. I had their cheese scone platter and a big mug of hot chocolate - it was windy and just starting to rain so I was in need of something warming! This was the flower arrangement on the table ...
The lady who runs the café explained that the lavender is delayed this year and she estimated that it'll be another three weeks before the main crop is in flower. This was the only patch that's in full bloom - you can see the lines of the various varieties of lavender in the background, most of it still to flower.
This is looking across the five acres field and is the crop which should be ready in about three weeks, so obviously I'll be making a return visit.
There is also a fantastic rose garden full of massive rose bushes - most of them taller than me. It was one of those days where it bothered me a little that I have no sense of smell, as I'm sure it must be a beautiful sensory experience to walk amongst these roses.
The next plant was in one of the other flower beds but I couldn't find a label for it. Does anyone recognise it, please?
Not too far from me, maybe next time we meet for lunch?
ReplyDeleteHow about in three weeks time when the lavender should be out? I'll email you.
DeleteYes please, that would be lovely. Wont be responding to emails until this time next week (Weymouth, here we come).
DeleteLovely pictures. I can almost smell those roses and the lavender. I also keep meaning to visit this farm. That is a curious flower in the last picture. It's like a cross between a white agapanthus and an allium
ReplyDeleteBeautiful floral photos Eileen.
ReplyDeleteArilx
I have an intermittent sense of smell. Sometimes it works perfectly and then Mr M will say "Cor, smell that!" and I can't smell a thing. Sometimes a smell get stuck and it is all I can smell for days. Wax polish is the main one and sometimes washing powder or for three dreadful days, old wet floor mop. I found myself sniffing the tin of brasso in an effort to get rid of that smell!
ReplyDeleteOh,I think that would be worse than never smelling at all. The thought of you sniffing the Brasso did make me laugh though!
DeleteSuch pretty flowers and place to go! I like the smell of lavender. I saw on another blog that the lady had gone to a lavender festival in the Southern California area the other week. That would have been enjoyable! Funny to read about your cool weather when we had 95 degrees here yesterday :)
ReplyDeletebetty
I absolutely lavender, I bought lavender soap when I went back to the South of France (where my family is from) -- no substitute for the real thing but it smells gorgeous all the same. Lucky you that you have a lavender farm so close to you! :) And those rose flowers are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI visited the Lavender Farm a few years ago, I remember eating lavender cake! A great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great when you finally get to visit somewhere on your list and it is as good or even better than you hoped. It does look a lovely place to visit, and now you have a good excuse to go back.
ReplyDelete